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Jarrah Bruening, a sophomore early childhood education major, serves a volleyball during a game at the BBQ outside Carman Hall on Sunday afternoon. Fraternities and sororities paid $50 to have a table set up under the tents. The money was donated to St. Jude´s.

Greek members chill out and give support

By: Dan Koteski/ Staff Reporter

Posted: 8/29/05

Eastern's Greek community hosted a barbecue and games on campus to support St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the Greek

community's official philanthropy project.

"We have been affiliated with St. Jude for five years now," said Bob Dudolski, director of Greek life.

St. Jude is an organization that helps students across America, including Eastern students.

"If it wasn't for (St. Jude), I wouldn't be in college right now," said Lindsay Rosales, a

senior Sigma Kappa.

In 1991, Rosales was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, also known as Acute Childhood Leukemia. When she began

treatment, doctors projected a 60-percent

survival rate for children with her disease.

St. Jude's, a non-profit organization

specializing in cancer treatment and based in Memphis, Tenn., has been helping patients like Rosales since 1962. As a member of Eastern's Greek community, Rosales now has the opportunity to be a volunteer. The efforts St. Jude and related research groups have made during the years have increased the survival rate to 85

percent with different therapy types.

Mitch Forney, a representative from Eastern's Greek community, visited St. Jude in a previous fraternity-sponsored retreat. He stayed for three nights, attending workshops on raising money for the cause. It was there that he learned of plans to introduce an HIV vaccine within 10 years.

Games of all sorts were set up to attract potential donors to the benefit Sunday night in the back parking lot of Carman Hall.

Affiliates of campus sororities and fraternities played volleyball, ladder golf, four square and bags. A barbecue was set up outside by dining services as an alternative meal to the dining center.

Donation jars were set up behind Carman Hall in hopes of raising $2,000. Last year, Greek life raised more than $20,000 for St. Jude.